Foldable ironing boards



Oct. 8, 1957 J. B. WITMER 2,808,667

FOLDABLE IRONING BOARDS Filed Aug. 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 g Fig.7 Ll x zlk &\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ JOHN B. WITMER United States PatentO FOLDABLEIRONING BOARDS John B. Witmer, Rocky River, Ohio Application August 29,1955, Serial No. 531,016

6 Claims. 01. 38-139 The present invention relates to ironing boards andmore particularly to sectional ironing boards which may be folded into acompact state when the board is not in use.

Foldable ironing boards as heretofore proposed have not metwithfavorable commercial response because'they are complicated in design andconsequently must be sold at a comparatively high. price. Anotherdisadvantage of 'folding ironing boards of the prior art is that it isusually necessaryto remove the cover which is applied to the boardduring ironing beforethe board is folded into its compact state, It istherefore necessary to again apply the cover in place after the board isextended before .it is ready for use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ironingboard of the folding type that is simple in design, in which bothsections of the board may be. firmly supported in place when it is inits extended posiits ironing position without removing the cover whichis applied to the board for ironing purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ironing board havingsimple means associated with its inner end which may be inserted in thedrawer of a bureau or dresser for maintaining the board in asubstantially level position when it is used for ironing.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which: f

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved ironing board;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the ironing board with the ironing coverin place; Fig. 3 is aside elevational view of the board in itsextended'positio'n with the ironing cover in place;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the board in its folded compact state;

Fig. Sis a side elevational view of my improved board with parts brokenaway and showing the inner section of the board supported in the drawerof a bureau or desk which is also shown in section with parts brokenaway and the cover for the board being shown diagrammatically indot-dashlines; v

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the ironing board showing the outersection of the board in dotted lines in a partly folded position and infull lines in a substantially fully folded position and with the coverfor the board .shown in dot-dash lines; and

Fig, 7 is an enlarged sectional detail view of theboard with parts inelevation and parts broken away and showing the board in full lines in apartly foldedjposition and "in dot-dash lines in a substantially'foldedposition.

2,808,667 "Patented Oct. 8, 1 957 As shown in the drawings, my improvedboard comprises an inner section 1 and an outer section 2 which ismovable from an extended ironing position as shown in Fig. 1 to a foldedcompact position as shown in Fig. 4 so that when the board is not inuse, it may be stored in a small compartment or closet in an apartmentor home, or may be carried in a suit case or trunk and utilized forlight laundry purposes in hotels, motels, rooming houses or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, improved means are providedfor firmly supporting the board in place when the outer section is inits extended position. For this purpose, the outer section is providedwith a cutout portion 3 arranged centrally at its inner portion, theopposite side walls 4 and 5 ofwhich extend parallel to each other andterminate in an arcuate-shaped wall portion 6 and the inner section 1 isprovided with a tongue 7 which extends outwardly into the opening 3 ofthe 'outer section and is provided with side walls 8 and 9 which arespaced from but are arranged in close proximity to the side walls 4 and5 of the outer section throughout a substantial portion of its length.The tongue 7 is also provided at its outer end portion with offset sidewalls 10 and 11 which terminate in an arcuate-shaped wall portion 12which is spaced from but isarranged in proximity to the arcuate-shapedwall 6 of the opening and a cleat 13 is provided having side arms 14 and15 which are secured to the inner end portions of the outer section 2 bysuitable means, such as nails or screws 16, and an inner end portion 17which overlaps the base oftongue 7 and the outer end portion of thelower wall of the inner section 1. In a like manner, a cleat 18 isprovided which is secured to the lower side wall of tongue 7 of theinner section by suitable means, such as screws or nails 19, andoverlaps the lower wall of section 2.

Means are also secured to the inner end of section 1 which enables theboard to be supported in a level or substantially level position in thedrawer of a bureau or desk as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, one end of a panel 20 is secured to the innersection 1 by suitable means, such as nails or screws 21, and extendsrearwardly beyond the inner section 1 and when the drawer of a bureau ordesk is in a partly open position as shown in Fig. 5, the panel 20extends below a bridge piece 22 extending downwardly from the upper wallof the bureau or desk and the outer end of panel 20 engages the uppermargin of the inner wall of drawer 23 at which time the inner end ofsection 1 engages the lower margin of bridge 22 and rests upon the upperedge of the drawer 23.

Cleats 13 and 18 also serve as bearings for a hinging means 24 whichconstitutes one of the essential features of the present invention andthe hinging means and cleats are so shaped and arranged relative to eachother that the outer section 2 may be folded from its extended ironingposition to a position in which it engages the inner section to providea compact structure or from its folded compact state to its extendedironing position either before or after the usual ironing cover isapplied to the ironing board. As shown in the drawing and moreparticularly in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7, hinging means 24 is in the form ofawire or rod provided centrally thereof with a U-shaped bend consistingof legs 25 and 26 and a central connecting portion 27 which connectingportion extends through a transverse slot arranged in the inner lowerportion of cleat 18 and when the board is in its extended position, legs25 and 26 of the U-shaped portion extend inwardly to a position oppositethe outer end portions of arms 14 and 15 of cleat 13 and leg 25'terminates in an arm 28 which extends outwardly through a transverseslot in the lower portion of arm 14 of cleat 13 andlleg 26-terminates inan arm-'29 which extends outwardly and outer sections relative to eachother is prevented by cleats 13 and 18. The outer portion of section),however, may be moved upwardly relativeto section 1 and when so movedthe inner portion of section 2, together with cleat 13, is moveddownwardly, and hinging means 24 rotates in the slot in cleat 18 and theslots in arms 14 and 15 of cleat 13 and when outer section 2 is moved toa position in which it is substantially vertical to section 1, the legs25 and 26 of the hinging means are moved downwardly to a position inwhich they are also substantially vertical to section 1. Section 2 maythen be moved outwardly and upwardly relative to section 1 and duringsuch movement, the legs of the hinging means will also be movedoutwardly to a substantially horizontal position substantially parallelwith the side walls of tongue 7 as shown in Fig. 7. Section 2 may thenbe moved downwardly to a position in which its top wall engages the topwall of section 1 and during such movement arcuateshaped wall 30 ofcleat 13passes beyond cleat 18 as shown more particularly in dottedlines in Fig; 6 of the drawings and the legs of the hinging means arefirst moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6 and after theouter section engages the inner section, it is then moved inwardly andduring such movement, the legs of the hinging means are moved inwardlyin the spaces provided by the offset side edges and 11 of the tongue 7to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and dash-dot lines in Fig.7. The parts will then be in a position in which the free end of section2 extends a short distance beyond the panel 20 of the inner section 1 asshown in Fig. 4. If the board is provided with a cover, however, asshown in dot dash lines in Fig. 6, the free end of the outer sectionwill terminate substantially flush with the outer end of panel 20 asshown in Fig. 6.

The inner and outer sections, the cleats 13 and 18, and the panel 20, ofmy improved ironing board may be formed of any suitable material, suchas metal, wood, or the like, or they may be formed of laminated woodenpanels which are adherently secured together by suitable means, such asa phenolic condensation product.

In accordance with the present invention, a cover may be applied to theboard when the sections are in their extended position in such mannerthat when the outer section is folded upon the inner section, the coveris folded between the top walls of the sections.

As shown in the drawings, the cover 31 extends over the upper walls ofthe inner and outer sections of the board and is provided withoppositely disposed flaps 32 and 33 which are spaced inwardly from theparting line 34 of sections 1 and 2 andare secured to the lower sidewall of section 1 by suitable means, such as staples .35. In a likemanner, a portion of the cover 31 extends over the side edges and end ofthe outer section 2 and terminates in flaps 36 which are secured to theouter side and end margins of the lower wall of section 2 by suitablemeans, such as staples 37. It will be noted that the flaps 36 whichextend over the side margins of the lower wall of section 2 terminatesubstantially opposite to the end of the arcuate-shaped opening 3 and asubstantial distance from the parting line 34 between the two sections.'The cover therefore does not interfere in any manner with the foldingof the outer section upon the inner section.

Assuming that a cover is in place upon the board during ironing, whenthe board is in its folded compact state, the cover will be first partlyfolded when the. outer section is moved to its vertical position andwill be completely .folded whenthe outer section is moved to a positionoverlying the inner section at which time thecoverwill occupy the spacebetween sections 1 and 2, as shown in Fig. 6 and the free end of section2 will be substantially opposite the outer end of panel 20. It will benoted that the legs of the hinging means are of sutficient length toprovide a space between the walls of the inner and outer sections whenthe outer section is folded upon the inner section as shown in Fig. 6.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outersection being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the innersection to provide a parting line between the two sections when theboard is in its extended ironing position and said outer section beingprovided with a central opening extending from its inner end to asubstantial distance therein and said inner section having a tonguesubstantially coextensive in length with said central opening whichtongue is provided with top and bottom walls extending into the openingin the outer section, first means secured to the bottom wall of theouter section having a portion overlapping said tongue and the bottomWall of the inner section inwardly of said parting line and second meanssecured to the bottom wall of the tongue of the inner section andoverlapping the bottom wall of the outer section for firmly maintainingthe board 'in place during ironing, and hinging means having portionsrotatably associated with said first and second means, thus permittingthe top Wall of the outer section of the board to be moved to a compactposition overlying the top wall of the inner section.

2. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outersection being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the innersection to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections,said outer section being provided with a central opening extending fromits inner end to'a substantial distance therein and said inner sectionhaving a tongue provided with top and bottom walls extending within theopening of the outer section when the ironing board is in its extendedposition which tongue is substantially'coextensive in length with saidcentral opening, first and second cleats for firmly supporting saidsections in their extended ironing positions, said first cleat havingspaced arms secured to the bottom wall of the outer section, each ofwhich arms has a transverse slot therein and one of said arms beingarranged adjacent to one side'and the other being arranged adjacent tothe opposite side of the opening in the outer section, and said firstcleat having a portion overlapping the bottom wall of said tongue andextending beyond the base of said tongue to engage the bottom wall ofthe inner section beyond said parting line, and said second cleat beingsecured to the bottom wall of said tongue and being provided with atransverse slot and having a portion overlapping the bottom wall of theouter section beyond said opening when the ironing board is in itsextended position, and hinging means having a central portion extendingthrough the transverse slot in the second cleat and arms extendingtransversely in opposite direction relative to each other from saidcentral portion, one of which arms extends through the transverse slotin one arm of the first cleat and the other of which extends through thetransverse slot in the other arm of the first cleat, and said hingingmeans being rotatable in said slots when the outer section is moved to aposition in which its top wall overlies the top wall of the innersection.

3. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outer.sect-ion being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the innersection to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sectionswhen the sections are in their extended ironing position, said outersection being provided with-a stantial distance therein which opening isdefined by substantially parallel side walls and an arcuate-shaped endwall and said inner section being provided with a tongue extending intosaid opening having side walls arranged in close proximity to the sidewalls of said opening throughout a substantial portion of its length andan arcuate-shaped portion which is arranged in close proximity to thearcuate-shaped endwall at the outer end of said opening, means forbracing the sections of said board against downward movement when theboard is used for ironing including a first cleat having spaced sidearms arranged .on opposite sides of said opening which arms are securedto the bottom wall of the outer section and each of which arm's-isprovided with a transverse slot, and said first cleat having a portionextending over the inner portion of said tongue which overlaps thebottom wall of the inner section beyond said parting line and saidbracing means also including a second cleat secured to the outer endportion of said tongue and having a free end portion extending beyondsaid opening for engaging the bottom wall of the outer section when theboard is in its extended ironing position, and hinging means for saidboard having a transverse portion extending through the transverse slotin the second cleat and a pair of spaced legs which extend inwardly whenthe board is in its extended ironing position, one of which legsterminates in an arm which passes through the transverse slot in one ofthe arms of the first cleat and the other of which terminates in an armwhich passes through the transverse slot in the other arm of the firstcleat, and the outer section of said board being first movable to asubstantially vertical position relative to the inner section to movethe legs of said, hinge to a substantially vertical position and thenoutwardly and upwardly to move the legs of said hinge to a position inwhich they extend outwardly in substantially parallel relation to theside walls of said tongue to permit the inner portion of the first cleatto pass beyond the outer end portion of the second cleat when the outersection of said board is moved downwardly into engagement with the innersection.

4. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls and inner end portions of the outer sectionbeing arranged in close proximity to the outer end portion of the innersection to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sectionswhen the board is in its extended position, said outer section beingprovided with a central opening extending from its inner end to asubstantial distance therein which opening is defined by substantiallyparallel side walls and an arcuate shaped end wall and said innersection being provided with a tongue extending into said opening havingside walls arranged in close proximity to the side walls of saidopen-ing throughout a substantial portion of its length and each of theside walls of said tongue being provided with an offset portion whichoffset portions terminate in an arcuate-shaped wall which is arranged inclose proximity to the arcuate-shaped end wall of the outer end of saidopening, means for bracing the sections of said board against downwardmovement when the board is in its extended position including a firstcleat having spaced side arms secured to the outer section and arrangedon opposite sides of said opening, each of which arms is provided with atransverse slot, and said first cleat having a portion extending overthe inner portion of said tongue which overlaps the bottom wall of theinner section beyond said parting line and said bracing means alsoincluding a second cleat having a transverse slot therein which secondcleat is secured to the outer end portion of said tongue and said secondcleat havin a portion extending beyond the opening in the outer sectionfor engaging the bottom wall of the outer section when the board is inits ironing position, and hinging means for said board having atransverse portion extending through the transverse slot in the secondcleat and a pair of spaced legs which extend inwardly when the ironingboard is in its extended position, one

of which legs terminates in an arm which passes through outwardly tomove the legs of said hinging means to a position in which they extendoutwardly in substantially parallelrelation with the side walls of saidtongue so that the inner portion of the first cleat will pass beyond theouterend of the second cleat when the outer section of the boardis moveddownwardly over the top wall of the innersection and the legs of saidhinging means being movable in the offset portions of said tongue whenthe'outer section is moved inwardly over the inner section of-said boardto cause the top wall of the outer section to rest firmly upon the topwall of the inner sec- 1011.

5. A folding ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls, and innot end portions of the outer sectionbeing arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner sectionto provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections, saidouter section being provided with a central opening extending from theinner end to la substantial distance therein which opening is defined bysubstantially parallel side walls and an arcuate-shaped end wall andsaid inner section being provided with a tongue extending into saidopening having side walls arranged in close proximity to the side wallsof said opening throughout a substantial portion of its length andterminating in an arcuate-shaped portion which is arranged in closeproximity to the arcuate-shaped end wall at the outer end of theopening, means for bracing the sections of said board against downwardmovement when the board is in its extended position including a firstcleat having spaced side arms secured to the outer section and arrangedon opposite sides of said opening, each of which arms is provided with atransverse slot, and said first cleat having a portion extending overthe inner portion of said tongue and overlapping the inner sectionbeyond said parting line, and said bracing means also including a secondcleat provided with a transverse slot, said second cleat being securedto the outer end portion of said tongue and having a portion extendingbeyond the opening in the outer section for engaging the bottom wall ofthe outer section when the board is in its extended ironing position,hinging means for said board having a transverse portion extendingthrough the slot in the second cleat and legs which extend inwardly whenthe board is in its extended ironing position, one of which legsterminates in an arm which passes-through the transverse slot in one ofthe arms of the first cleat and the other of which terminates in an armwhich passes through the transverse slot in the other arm of the firstcleat, a cover for the top wall of said board having a pair of flapsextending over the side edges and margins of the bottom wall of theinner section and flaps extending over the side and end edges and themargin of the bottom wall of the outer section and the flaps on bothsections being arranged at a substantial distance from said partingline, and the outer section of said board and the legs of said hingingmeans being first movable to positions which are substantially verticalto the tongue of the inner section to provide a partial fold in saidcover and said outer section being then movable outwardly and upwardlyto move the legs of said hinging means to a position in which theyextend outwardly in substantially parallel relation to the side walls ofsaid tongue so that the inner portion of the first cleat will passbeyond the free end portion of the second cleat when the outer sectionof saidboard is moved downwardly over the inner section, and themovement of the outer section over the inner section being effective incompletely folding said cover and the legs of said hinging means beingof sufficient length to provide a space between the walls of saidsections for said cover when the outer section is moved to its foldedposition.

6. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, eachhaving top and bottom walls, and the inner end of the outer sectionbeing arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner sectionto provide a parting line between the two sections when the board is inits extended ironing position and said outer section being provided witha centnal opening extending from its inner end to a substantial distancetherein and said inner section having a tongue which is substantiallycoextensive in length with said opening, said tongue being provided witha top wall which lies in the same plane as the top wall of the outersection and a bottom wall which lies in the same plane as the bottomwall of the outer section when the board is in its extended ironingposition, first means secured to the bottom wall of the inner sectionhaving a portion overlapping the inner portion of said tongue andthebottom wall of the inner section inwardly of said parting line andsecond means secured to the botto'rn wall of the tongue and overlappingthe bottom wall of the outer section beyond said opening for fir-rnlymaintaining the board in place during ironing, and hinging means havingportions rotatably associated with said first and second means whenthetop wall of the outer. section is moved to a compact positionoverlying the top wall of the inner section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

